• The Cotec Local Innovation Index report highlights that Valencia is a “well-established, highly efficient” region

• Councilwoman Paula Llobet emphasized that this assessment “means that the city is not only making a significant effort toward innovation, but is also managing to translate that effort into tangible results.”

• Between 2022 and 2024, Valencia has managed to climb in the rankings, moving from fifth place—among the 59 regions into which Spain is divided—to third place

The Valencia functional area has been ranked as the third most innovative in Spain on Cotec’s Local Innovation Index, which was released a few days ago, “thanks to the driving force of the provincial capital as the region’s hub.” This was announced by Paula Llobet, Councilwoman for Tourism, Innovation, and Investment Attraction, who noted that “this concept of a functional area defines the city’s actual sphere of economic and social influence based on the population’s daily commutes, beyond traditional administrative boundaries, forming a connected and competitive territorial system.” The functional area of Valencia encompasses the subareas of Valencia, Sagunto, Landete, Requena, Torrent, and Ayora and has a population of over two million.

This improvement represents a rise of two spots compared to 2022, when Valencia ranked fifth; it places the city among the country’s leading regions in innovation, ahead of areas such as Pamplona and Zaragoza. In addition, Valencia has increased its score from 7.46 to 8.35, placing it above the Spanish average with a growth rate that exceeds the national average.

Councilwoman Paula Llobet stated that these results “confirm that Valencia has moved from talking about innovation to implementing it with real impact.” “Today, we are a city that transforms investment into jobs, talent, and opportunities, and that competes with the country’s leading innovation ecosystems,” she added. Along these lines, the councilwoman emphasized that “the Valencia Innovation Capital model demonstrates that when innovation is promoted as public policy, the return comes in the form of economic growth and well-being for citizens.”

The report also highlights that Valencia is a “well-established, highly efficient” region, which means that “it not only makes a significant effort toward innovation but also succeeds in translating that into tangible results,” Llobet added. In this regard, the functional area has improved significantly both in terms of resource indicators (inputs)—where it has risen from eighth to second place—and in terms of results (outputs), where it has climbed from sixth to third place.

By sector, the trend has also been positive in all areas analyzed, with notable progress in investment, the business sector, research, and technology-related employment. “This performance reflects an increasingly solid and balanced innovation ecosystem,” the councilwoman went on to say.

Innovation as Public Policy

Paula Llobet noted that this recognition comes at a time when Valencia has established a model of innovation as public policy, driven by the Valencia Innovation Capital strategy. By 2025, the city will have surpassed 200 million euros in investment in startups, created more than 20,000 skilled jobs, and will be home to nearly 1,700 active innovative companies, she emphasized.

In addition, the Valencia City Council has generated more than 40 million euros in economic impact associated with innovation projects, with an average return of 3.8 euros for every euro of public funding invested. “This model helps stimulate private investment, attract talent, and transform innovation into real opportunities for citizens,” the councilwoman explained, adding that “furthermore, the city has established itself as a magnet for international investment, attracting more than 150 million euros in 2025 and welcoming 25 new companies, which have created skilled jobs and strengthened the local economic fabric.”

At the same time, Valencia is making progress in integrating innovation into public management through initiatives such as the Urban Sandbox, GovTech projects, and the development of the Urban Operating System—which is based on data and artificial intelligence—all of which help improve public services and anticipate needs.

Councilwoman Paula Llobet concluded by stating that “these results confirm that Valencia is not only climbing in the rankings but is also building a model city where innovation translates into economic growth, quality jobs, and social well-being.”